Blank Slate: Baggage

Blank Slate is a new 16-part instructional series from PBS Digital Studios with the production team Video Dads, made up of Emmy-nominated video producers Travis Gilmour and Slavik Boyechko. This week hear from the newest member of PBS Digital Studios team Leslie Datsis as she breaks down the topic of baggage.

Portability has become a huge priority in the development of camera gear. However, when international travel becomes a part of that challenge, it’s easy to find yourself playing life’s game of Tetris to get all the gear you need to fit in the least amount of baggage as possible. In air travel, the anxiety from possibly losing a checked bag is ever-present. Here’s how to combat all of this:

Don’t conform to a bag. I’ve never found it effective to use bags or backpacks with several dividers in the bags. It adds an extra layer of complexity to the challenge of conquering shapes when you’re trying to just get gear in a bag. Using a bag with fewer dividers and protecting your equipment with neoprene wraps helps the process of switching bags and utilizing all space in your bags easier.

Your most important gear should be with you at all times. Camera bodies, lenses, and fragile items go in your “personal bag” on flights. If you absolutely need to check a bag, that’s where your clothes go.

You don’t need gear for every type of shooting situation. This is what makes pre-production and having a full understanding of the type of video you're making important. Once you know that, you'll know which gear you can leave behind.